Posted: Jan. 22, 2009, 3 a.m. EST
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have teamed up through Penn Vet’s Shelter Animal Medicine Program to help eliminate pet overpopulation.
“I am delighted to announce the continuation of our Shelter Animal Medicine Program in cooperation with the Pennsylvania SPCA,” said David Holt, BVSc, chief of small animal surgery at Penn Vet’s Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital.
“We have worked with the PSPCA in the past, and we are both committed to high-quality patient care as well as to strengthening the relationship between people, animals and society. Together we will provide a unique opportunity for our students to receive first-hand experience in Shelter Animal Medicine and the issues surrounding pet overpopulation.”
Penn launched the shelter program in 2006, in which senior veterinary students participate in surgery rotation. The partnership with PSPCA will ensure that students also experience other shelter issues and topics, including homeless-animal management, the role of the veterinarian in an animal shelter, pet-animal overpopulation, forensic medicine, infectious disease control, behavior problems and evaluations, wellness and animal cruelty, neglect and hoarding.